Harry Kane feels taken for granted even though he is the best striker in the world
Maybe it is because Harry Kane is still waiting to win his first team trophy that would catapult him into Ballon d’Or contention. Maybe, as he said himself, people are just a bit bored of him. Or maybe it is a bizarre reluctance to properly embrace one of our own. But whatever it is, the English public are strangely torn on one subject that should be easy to agree on – that Kane is the best striker in the world.
The England captain feels he is more respected within the game and that there is a greater “aura” around him since joining Bayern Munich from Tottenham Hotspur, and yet he knows some will always take his goals for granted.
Newcastle United star Alexander Isak is the latest striker to get the English public purring and it may not be completely coincidental that Kane plucked 25 out of the air – the age of the Sweden international – as an example of how excitement around him might be greater if he was younger.
Erling Haaland managed to outscore him a couple of years ago, but, despite being seven years older than the Norwegian, Kane posted better numbers than him last season and is on course to do so again this term.
A goal against Albania in England’s first World Cup qualifier at Wembley on Friday night would take Kane to 70 goals for his country, but he knows it would largely be treated as a forgone conclusion, rather than something to truly recognise.
“People take it for granted and maybe a little bit with England as well,” said Kane. “I’ve scored 69 goals and when you score against Albania or Latvia, or these teams, people just expect it so it’s not spoken about so much.
“Sometimes, I say if I was 25 now and doing what I’m doing, the excitement around me would maybe be a little bit different to what it is now. Again, that’s part of where we are with football and I’ve seen it with some other players as they get into their 30s. Maybe people just get a little bit bored of what you do, but I’m certainly not bored. I’m excited for these games and the games ahead.”
No wonder Kane remains excited, even if others seem to find it hard to truly appreciate his achievements. He has netted 32 times so far this season for Bayern Munich, who are top of the Bundesliga and into the quarter-finals of the Champions League.
A first team trophy is on the horizon for Kane, which the 31-year-old believes would put him in contention for the Ballon d’Or for the first time in his career. Maybe then, people would stop trying to talk up Isak and co ahead of him.
Kane said: “I feel like I’ve definitely got better, I’ve improved, and maybe the “aura” of me as a player is a bit more respected than what it has been in the past, because you’re playing in big games [with Bayern Munich], big nights.”
Asked if he thinks he can be in the conversation for the Ballon d’Or, Kane replied: “One hundred per cent. I felt that last season as well. I scored over 40 goals, but obviously, I was never going to win the Ballon d’Or because we didn’t win the team trophies. I felt like, probably at Spurs, no matter how many goals I scored, ultimately unless you win the title and the Champions League, you’re not going to be in those conversations. I finished 10th in the Ballon d’Or while at Spurs and that was as high as I probably could have finished.
“Those opportunities are there. That’s probably what I mean in terms of being respected more worldwide, on the bigger stage. For something like that, you have to win enough team trophies to be considered in that and probably score 40-odd goals, but that is a possibility this season. That is definitely something I would love to try to achieve.”
‘Difference too high and low’
Kane’s critics have not been confined to England. He faced accusations from some in the German media of failing to turn up in the big games for Bayern before responding in typical fashion with two superb goalscoring performances in the Champions League last-16 success against Bayer Leverkusen.
“In today’s game, I feel like there’s such a difference between a high and a low,” said Kane. “You go from not scoring for a couple of games and people saying he’s not sharp enough, to scoring and you’re a Ballon d’Or contender. The difference is too high and too low.
“When I talk to some of the younger players, I talk about that and I speak about staying in the middle. Not getting carried away in the emotions, especially in the last few years with social media and everything.
“Probably, when I was young I listened to more than what I do now. Ultimately, I criticise myself more than anyone could do on the outside, but I always use it as fuel to prove people wrong. From early in my career, whether it was coaches or teams or going on loan and proving people wrong, I’ve always had to do that. I think that will be with me until the end of my career.”
-
England captain Kane feels he is 'taken for granted'
England captain Harry Kane says he is "taken for granted" and feels people have become "bored" of his goalscoring record.BBC News - 20h -
Harry Kane believes growing ‘aura’ could lead to Ballon d’Or: ‘I feel more respected’
The England striker believes he has a chance of winning football’s top individual honour if he can win his first title with Bayern MunichYahoo Sports - 20h -
Thomas Tuchel’s first task is to solve England’s main problem: Harry Kane | Barney Ronay
Kane had an awful Euros, largely because of his positioning. The new head coach must address this, and the signs are he will . So far there has been something astringent and quietly refreshing ...The Guardian - 1d -
Kane excited by England reunion with Tuchel
Harry Kane has said he is excited to reunite with former Bayern Munich manager Thomas Tuchel with England.Tuchel will take charge of England for the first time when the Three Lions begin their 2026 ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Harry Kane believes fans are ‘bored’ by his goals: ‘If I was 25 it would be different’
The England captain says he is ‘excited’ for the games against Albania and LatviaYahoo Sports - 10h -
Kane: 'Aura' improved after Spurs to Bayern move
Harry Kane sees a real chance of winning the next men's Ballon d'Or, saying his "aura" as a player has improved since joining Bayern Munich.ESPN - 1h -
Kane praises Tuchel's methods as England's new coach aims for World Cup glory
England captain Harry Kane has praised Thomas Tuchel's methods ahead of the coach's first match in charge, hoping that his straightforward approach will help England finally win a second World ...Yahoo Sports - 1d -
Kane delighted with Kimmich's contract extension
In the wake of Joshua Kimmich’s confirmed contract extension with Bayern Munich, his teammate Harry Kane expressed his delight at the German’s decision to stay.“It’s fantastic news. Johsua is ...Yahoo Sports - Mar. 14 -
Bayern coach Kompany says Kane 'better with age'
Bayern Munich striker Harry Kane earned praise from coach Vincent Kompany on Tuesday after scoring one goal and setting up another in a 2-0 victory at Bayer Leverkusen that saw them book their ...ESPN - Mar. 12
More from Yahoo Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Viktor Hovland contending at the Valspar Championship after (another) coaching change
Two weeks ago, Hovland announced a switch back to Grant Waite, insisting he's trying to "get to the bottom" of his slump.Yahoo Sports - 32m -
Auburn basketball vs Creighton: Who has edge in 2025 NCAA Tournament second round?
It’s Auburn Tigers vs. Creighton Blue Jays in the March Madness bracket. Here’s our prediction, pick for the 2025 NCAA Tournament basketball game.Yahoo Sports - 32m -
Georgia Amoore scores 34 points and Kentucky holds off charge by Liberty for 79-78 March Madness win
Georgia Amoore scored 34 points, including three free throws in the final 10 seconds for fourth-seeded Kentucky, which nearly blew a 17-point fourth-quarter lead but held on for a 79-78 victory ...Yahoo Sports - 33m -
Mexican club Leon banned from FIFA Club World Cup
Club Leon from Mexico were incensed Friday after they were banned from the June-July Club World Cup in the United States for violating rules on multi-ownership, FIFA announced Friday. A FIFA ...Yahoo Sports - 37m
More in Sports
-
Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in NCAA Tournament first round
It's Ohio State women's basketball vs Montana State in the first round of March Madness. Follow for scores, NCAA Tournament updates from the game.Yahoo Sports - 30m -
Poch after loss: Wearing U.S. shirt 'not enough'
Mauricio Pochettino was left visibly frustrated after the USMNT's shock 1-0 defeat to Panama in the Concacaf Nations League, bluntly telling his players it was not enough to just simply show up in ...ESPN - 30m -
Skenes' 1-of-1 rookie card fetches record $1.11M
Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes' 2024 Topps Chrome Update MLB debut patch autograph card sold for a stunning $1.11 million, including buyer's premium.ESPN - 30m -
Bronny has season-high 17 points in Lakers' loss
Bronny James scored a season-high 17 points on 7-for-10 shooting and added five assists, three rebounds and a block in 30 minutes of playing time against the Bucks.ESPN - 30m -
Wood carded for signing autographs in NZ win
Chris Wood picked up a yellow card for signing autographs and taking pictures with fans during New Zealand's win over Fiji in their World Cup qualifier on Thursday.ESPN - 30m